篝 (gōu) - bonfire & campfire

篝Tone 1

gōu ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

篝 · gōu

bonfire;

campfire;

a cage or basket for containing fire;

a fire basket used for heating or illumination.

bonfirecampfirea cage or basket for containing fire

Usage highlights

bonfirecampfirefire basketfox fireto light a bonfirebonfire night

Synonyms

  • 火— fire (general term)
  • 焰— flame
  • 炬— torch

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We sat around the bonfire (篝火) telling stories.
  • They used a fire basket (篝笼) for outdoor lighting.
  • The campers built a campfire (篝火) in the clearing.
  • Ancient people used fire baskets (篝) for warmth and cooking.

Collocations

  • bonfire(篝火)
  • campfire(篝火)
  • fire basket(篝笼)
  • fox fire(篝火狐鸣)
  • to light a bonfire(举篝)
  • bonfire night(篝火之夜)

Idioms

  • A fox crying by a bonfire(篝火狐鸣)
  • To raise a bonfire as a signal(举篝为号)
  • To set up campfires everywhere(篝火四起)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used as fire baskets or cages for containing fire, often for heating, lighting, or signaling.
  • Associated with outdoor gatherings, military camps, and ancient signaling methods.
  • In modern usage, primarily appears in the compound 篝火 (bonfire/campfire), evoking warmth, community, and outdoor activities.

FAQ